Ag News: Klamath Water Supply and Retail Potatoes Soar
**Already facing a record-low water allocation, farmers in the Klamath Basin learned last Tuesday their supplies would not be cut further.
The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation announced it will maintain the earlier allocation, based on improved flows into Upper Klamath Lake.
The bureau says it might need to cut the allocation to protect fish, and farmers organized a tractor convoy to draw attention to the potential cutback.
**Retail potato sales soared, increasing 10.4% in sales and 9.3% in volume between July 1 of last year and May 19.
Potatocountry.com reports, all potato categories across the retail store, except deli-prepared sides, increased in dollar and volume sales.
Fresh, frozen, dehydrated, and canned potatoes saw double-digit increases in both dollar and volume sales.
Many retailers removed parts of their deli-prepared sections, contributing to the sales and volume declines for that category.
**A bipartisan bill would create a certification program at the USDA for technical service providers to work with farmers as they implement practices to sequester carbon and sell the credits.
The bill also calls for an advisory committee at USDA composed of farmers, government officials, and representatives from private markets to provide guidance on how Congress and USDA can reduce barriers and resolve challenges.
National Farmers Union endorsed the bill, saying it would "provide certainty to those looking to participate in carbon credit marketplaces."